Alok Singh
On 16 December 2024, the Karnataka High Court underscores the potential risks associated with online dating platforms by temporarily halting proceedings against a 22-year-old, Bengaluru resident accused of rape. The complaint arises from the interaction between the accused and a woman he met through the dating app ‘Bumble’.
The Bench, led by Justice M Nagaprasanna, raised concern over the complexities arising from such cases and also highlighted the inherent dangers of dating apps.
According to the case details, both individuals got in touch via a dating app, Bumble and later decided to meet in person. Their meeting eventually led to a ‘consensual’ physical relationship in a private accommodation. The following day, the accused reportedly dropped the woman at her residence, and on the same day, in a short while, she lodged a police complaint alleging rape.
The accused’s counsel argued that the interaction was entirely consensual and that the allegations were unwarranted and further pointed out procedural lapses in the investigation, including the omission of chat records between both parties and “verbatim identical” i.e. the duplication of witness statements in the charge sheet.
Justice Nagaprasanna noted the absence of any explicit claim of coercion in the complaint and criticized the approach taken during the investigation, where the chargesheet lacks diligence. The court granted interim relief to the accused while stressing the need for a more thorough examination, especially in such sensitive cases.
This event has revived discussions about the legal and social issues around online dating culture and the reasonable distinction between consensual relationships and allegations of criminal behaviour.
Bench: Justice M Nagaprasanna